F YOU THINK ABOUT IT, one of the most influential video games that was released in 2005 was Lego Star Wars: The Video Game. The title from TT Games was a huge hit and helped turn around the Lego brand. Since then, there have been dozens of other spin-offs that include DC Comics and Marvel superheroes. Harry Potter had his own games and so has Capt. Jack Sparrow. The popularity of the video games even helped create a Lego movie.

But Star Wars seems to hold a special place in the hearts of the TT Games, and the developers are returning to that universe with Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens. With the new project, the team is showing off everything they learned since the release of its first Lego title, said associate producer Tim Wileman. In addition, Lego Force Awakens will serve as a showcase for some new mechanics the developers have dying to add.

The campaign itself will take place over 18 levels that is divided into 11 film levels and seven new story levels. TT Games worked with Lucas Film to make sure that these added scenarios work with the fabric of the movie. It mainly offers background. For example, players will see how Han Solo and Chewbacca captured the Rathtars that eventually wreak havoc on their ship in the film. In another stage, players will find out just how C-3PO ended up with a red arm.Rey, left, BB-8, and Finn are in Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Daisy Ridley who plays Rey did voice work for the game.

As with any Lego title, the new Star Wars release will feature hub worlds. There are five available and they will be the launch pads for missions in the game. It s also a place for players to roam around, discover secrets and collect studs. These areas are Jakku, Takodana, Starkiller Base, D qar and the Millennium Falcon.

That s a lot of space to explore, but thankfully, TT Games added 40 playable vehicles. They can be anything from creatures of burden like the luggabeast to a certain Corellian light freighter. Each vehicle has a role to play when it comes to puzzle solving and thrilling action. With the luggabeast on Jakku, Rey can hop aboard it and players can use it to break through walls and open up parts of the level.

Meanwhile, the Millennium Falcon shows off the updated flight mechanics. TT Games overhauled that part of Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens to make it feel like players are actually piloting the legendary ship. In another stage on Jakku, Rey and Finn were being trailed by TIE Fighters. The first part of the level was linear and on a track as the ship had to dodge in and out of ship graveyard while shooting First Order aircraft. The setup is reminiscent of the first level of Star Fox.

But the game transitions out after that and the Millennium Falcon battles bogeys in an arena area. Players can barrel roll and fly in any direction as long as they are confined within the level. They can even pull off maneuvers like the Immelmann turn. The action is much better than the simple broom flights they did in the past.

Poe Dameron, left, is one of more than 200 characters in Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

While flying vehicles got a big upgrade, TT Games didn t neglect the ground game. In fact, there are more major changes here than in previous Lego titles. On the combat end, the team added finishing moves that let characters like Rey pulverize a wobbly foe. When using firearms, players can end up in Blaster Battles, which are cover-based set pieces where players have to build objects for cover and fight back.

But gamers should be careful. This time around, enemies can make objects out of Lego bricks as well. It makes combat feel smarter and more on an even playing field. Players have to be aware of where stray blocks are and try to deny their foes the opportunity to build obstacles or weapons.

Rey tries to figure out what to construct with the multibuilds.

And this segues to one of the bigger changes in the Lego video game universe — multibuilds. Once in a while, players will run across a pile of bricks that can be turned into two or three different objects. Players have to choose what to build. If they mess up and construct the wrong thing, they can easily destroy it and start over.

In one puzzle on Jakku junkyard, Rey found one of these multibuilds and constructed a switch that is activated by BB-8. Unfortunately, the droid was stuck at the bottom of a hill. I had to break the switch by attacking it and turn the bricks into a lever so I could hoist a broken TIE fighter and create a ramp out of its wings. Once BB-8 climbed up, I destroyed that lever and turned it into a switch that it could use to open a door.

The multibuilds add to the puzzle element and the overall Lego feel of the experience. Kids always break apart their brick creations and reassemble it into something else. Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens gives them the opportunity to do the same, but it s a more streamlined approach.

My short hands-on time with game shows another solid outing from TT Games that actually looks nicer than past efforts. If the developer can fold these design elements into interesting levels, then this game could be a worthy addition to the franchise s legacy.

Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is scheduled for release June 28 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and other legacy consoles.

Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

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